Polské regiony spojily své síly se všemi regionálními a místními orgány EU na obranu politiky soudržnosti

During the 11th Conference on Subsidiarity in Warsaw, organised by the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and Mazowieckie Voivodeship (Mazovia), the Union of Regions (Voivodeships) of the Republic of Poland presented its position on cohesion policy after 2027, rejecting any proposal to centralise the structure of the future EU budget and replace cohesion policy regional programmes with national plans.

The future of the European Union, cohesion policy and regional development were among the issues addressed at the CoR Subsidiarity Conference hosted in Warsaw. The event came at a crucial time after the European Parliament elections and at the beginning of the European Union's new institutional cycle.

During the conference, the Union of Regions (Voivodeships) of the Republic of Poland presented its position on the reform of cohesion policy of the European Union after 2027. Polish regions strongly disagree with the concept of centralising the structure of the future EU budget, which would imply the replacement of cohesion policy programmes that are currently shaped and managed by Polish regions in partnership with EU, national, and local actors, with national programmes shaped and negotiated at the national level.

Regional and local leaders from across the EU, gathered in the Polish capital for the conference, unanimously backed the Polish regions' initiative and stressed that centralisation was not only contrary to the principle of subsidiarity laid down in the Treaty of the European Union but would significantly reduce the effectiveness of efforts to strengthen economic cohesion on the ground. It would also have negative effects on European democracy in the long-term.

Polish regions emphasise their role as active and experienced co-creators and implementers of development policy, with proven capacity to fulfil the responsibilities of managing authorities for cohesion policy programmes. As the actors closest to the community of citizens and regional and local stakeholders, they ensure a targeted approach addressing the specific potential, needs, challenges, and objectives of their territories. This is why cohesion policy, thanks to multi-level governance and a consistent delegation of competences to the regional and local level, has also the potential to counteract Euroscepticism, radicalisation, and, consequently, deepen European integration.

Polish regions demand that the necessary reform of the long-term budget, including cohesion policy, be based on the principle of 'do no harm to regional subsidiarity’. The necessary changes should be delivered not only by maintaining, but also by strengthening the key principles of cohesion policy, based on partnership and multi-level governance, creating a culture of dialogue between the EU institutions.

Quotes:  

Adam STRUZIK, Marshal of Mazowieckie Voivodeship: "Cohesion policy has been one of the driving forces behind the development of the European Union in recent decades. Its key success lies in unleashing the energy and creativity of regional and local communities. A stronger and modernised cohesion policy, drawing on the strengths of these communities, will make Europe more resilient and competitive as a whole, more agile, and more united in facing new challenges."

Olgierd GEBLEWICZ, President of the Board of the Union of Voivodeships of the Republic of Poland and Marshall of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship: "This will be a dismantling of the entire EU philosophy to recognise everyone in Europe. In my opinion, this is a very damaging proposal both for the European Commission itself and for cities and regions. Until now, we have had a very strong influence on what our Regional Operational Programmes look like, so we have been adapting the local and regional needs of the communities to the opportunities provided by the European Funds. Now such a strategic view of the European Commission is also missing."

Patrick MOLINOZ, Vice-president of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region and Chair of the CoR CIVEX Commission: "European integration works better through actions taken on the ground to build trust and solidarity. Bringing the Union closest to the citizen should be a top priority and cohesion policy is one of the best ways to do so. Proposals which would amount to nationalising this crucial set of policy instruments would strike at the heart of the European idea and be the exact opposite not only of subsidiarity, but also of democratic imperatives. In a time when the citizens tend to be more seduced by nationalistic and anti-European votes nationalising EU policies is a threat for the future."

 Antje GROTHEER, President of the Bremen Landtag and Chair of the CoR Steering Group on Better Lawmaking and Active Subsidiarity (BRASS-G): "The leaked proposals by the European Commission put European integration as such into question. They would delete the added value (= subsidiarity) of EU regional policy, i.e., a policy that is shaped in a regional and inclusive way (in partnership) and which enables the implementation of the (trans-border) European strategies such as the Green Deal and support for the transformation processes – the proposals would thus make the most important EU investment policy de facto superfluous."

 More information:

The position presented at the Warsaw conference is a key contribution to the debate started during the 22nd European Week of Regions and Cities in Brussels on how the European Commission might renew the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) after 2027, and in particular on the risk that all EU funds currently managed in partnership by the EU, national and regional authorities, including cohesion policy, are merged within 27 national programmes. On that occasion, the President of the European Committee of the Regions, Vasco Alves Cordeiro, delivered a clear and loud message, saying that the idea, if confirmed, would abolish the participation of regions and cities. CoR President Cordeiro also called "upon the regions and cities of Europe to rise and take a stand". His call was also echoed by the Polish Deputy Minister for Regional Policy, Jan Szyszko, during the event organised by the #CohesionAlliance.

Cohesion Policy reform will be one of the priorities of the forthcoming Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU. The European Commission should present its proposal on the next MFF in the first semester 2025.

The CoR’s annual report on the State of Regions and Cities in the European Union 2024 emphasises the role of regions and cities in shaping policies and calls for stronger partnerships on an equal footing with the EU and national levels, reflecting the principle of active subsidiarity. Local and regional authorities call for the CoR to have a greater role in EU governance, particularly for territorial policies, and emphasise the need for decentralisation and multilevel governance in future reforms. 

Webstreaming of the meeting.

Contact:

Marta Milewska

Spokesperson

Office of the Marshal of the Mazowieckie Voivodeship

tel. +48 22 59 07 602, mobile +48 510 591 974

rzecznik@mazovia.pl

Wioletta Wojewodzka

Press Officer

European Committee of the Regions

Tel. +32 473 843 986

Wioletta.wojewodzka@cor.europa.eu